IBPS Specialist Officers in Public Sector Banks Common Written Examination (CWE)

REASONING Solved Paper (Held on March 2012)

1. In a certain code. ‘TEAMWORK’ is written as ‘NBFUJQNV’ and ‘SOME’ is written
as ‘PTDL’. How is ‘PERSON’ written in that code ?
(A) QDOOPT (B) QDOMNR
(C) SFQMNR (D) SFQOPT
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

2. How many such pairs of letters are there in the word ‘SUBSTANCE’ each of
which has as many letters between them in the word (in both forward and backward
directions) as in the English alphabet ?
(A) None (B) One
(C) Two (D) Three
(E) More than three
Ans : (D)

3. How many meaningful English words, not ending with ‘D’ can be made, with the
third, the fifth, the seventh and the ninth letters of the word ‘STEADFAST’
using each letter only once in each word? (All letters are counted from left to
right)
(A) None (B) One
(C) Two (D) Three
(E) More than three
Ans : (B)

4. In a certain code ‘BASKET’ is written as ‘5$3%#1’ and ‘TRIED’ is written as
‘14*#2’. How is ‘SKIRT’ written in that code?
(A) 3% *41 (B) 3*%41
(C) 3%#41 (D) 3#4%1
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

5. The positions of the first and the fifth digits of the number 81943275 are
interchanged. Similarly the positions of the second and the sixth digits are
interchanged and so on till the fourth and the eighth digits. Which of the
following will be the third digit from the right end after the rearrangement ?
(A) 1 (B) 9
(C) 2 (D) 4
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

6. Four of the following five are alike in a certain way based on their
positions in the above arrangement and so form a group. Which is the one that
does not belong to that group?
(A) T E R (B) U 4 @
(C) 6 D V (D) J 1 K
(E) N δ *
Ans : (D)

7. How many such numbers are there in the above arrangement each of which is
immediately proceded by a letter but not immediately followed by a letter ?
(A) None (B) One
(C) Two (D) Three
(E) More than three
Ans : (E)

8. What should come in place of the question mark (?) in the following series
based on the above arrangement ?
RT1 $@F 416 ?
(A) 8 * H (B) 8 H N
(C) 8 H 7 (D) D * H
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

9. How many such symbols are there in the above arrangement, each of which is
immediately proceded by a number and immediately followed by a latter?
(A) None (B) One
(C) Two (D) Three
(E) More than three
Ans : (D)

Directions (Qs. 11 to 15) : Each of the questions below consists of a
question and two statements numbered I and II given below it. You have to decide
whether the data provided in the statements are sufficient to answer the
question. Read both the statements and given answer –
(A) If the data in statement I alone are sufficient to answer the question,
while the data in statement II alone are not sufficient to answer the question.
(B) If the data in statement II alone are sufficient to answer the question,
while the data in statement I alone are not sufficient to answer the question.
(C) If the data either in statement I alone or in statement II alone are
sufficient to answer the question.
(D) If the data given in both the statements I & II together are not sufficient
to answer the question, and
(E) If the data in both the statements I & II together are necessary to answer
the question.

11. Among M, P, T, R and W each being of a different age, who is the youngest ?
I. T is younger than only P and W.
II. M is younger than T and older than R.
Ans : (E)

12. How is ‘gone’ is written in a code language ?
I. ‘you will be gone’ is written as ‘ka pa ni sa’ that code language.
II. ‘he will be there’ is written as ‘ja da ka ni’ in that code language.
Ans : (D)

13. On which day of the weeks (starting from Monday and ending on Sunday of the
same week) did Sushant visit Chennai?
I. Sushant visited Chennai two days after his brother visited Chennai.
II. Sushant did not visit Chennai either on Wednesday or on Friday.
Ans : (D)

14. Towards which direction is P with respect to the starting point ?
I. P walked 20 meters, took a right turn and walked 30 meters, again took right
turn and walked 20 meters toward West.
II. P walked 30 meters, took a left turn and walked 20 meters, again took left
turn and walked 30 meters towards East.
Ans : (C)

15. How is K related to Z ?
I. Z and P are the only sisters of D.
II. D’s mother is wife of K’s father.
Ans : (E)

Directions (Qs. 21 to 25) : Study the following information carefully and
answer these given questions :
A word and number arrangement machine when given an input line of words and
number rearranges them following a particular rule in each step. The following
is an illustration of input and rearrangement. (All the number given in the
arrangement are two digit numbers.)
Input : gone over 35 69 test 72 park 27
Step I : 27 gone over 35 69 test 72 park
Step II : 27 test gone over 35 69 72 park
Step III : 27 test 35 gone over 69 72 park
Step IV : 27 test 35 park gone over 69 72
Step V : 27 test 35 park 69 gone over 72
Step VI : 27 test 35 park 69 over gone 72
Step VII : 27 test 35 park 69 over 72 gone
and Step VII is the last step of the rearrangement of the above input as the
desired arrangement is obtained.As per the rules followed in the above steps, find out in each of the
following questions the appropriate step for the given input.

21. Input : 86 open shut door 31 49 always 45
How many steps will be required to complete the rearrangement ?
(A) Five (B) Six
(C) Seven (D) Four
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

23. Step II of an input : 18 win 71 34 now if victory 61
How many more steps will be required to complete the rearrangement ?
(A) Three (B) Four
(C) Five (D) Six
(E) More than six
Ans : (B)

24. Input : where 47 59 12 are they going 39
Which of the following steps will be the last but one ?
(A) VII (B) IV
(C) V (D) VIII
(E) None of these
Ans : (E)

25. Step II of in input : 33 store 81 75 full of goods 52
Which of the following will be step VI ?
(A) 33 store 52 of 75 81 full goods
(B) 33 store 52 of 75 full 81 goods
(C) 33 store 52 of 75 goods 81 full
(D) There will be no such step
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

Directions (Qs. 26 to 30) : Study the following information carefully and
answer the questions given below :
Following are the conditions for selecting Manager–HR in an organisation :
The candidate must –
(i) be at least 30 years and not more than 35 years as on 1.3.2012.
(ii) have secured at least 60 percent mark in Gradation in any discipline.
(iii) have secured at least 65 percent mark in the Post Graduate Degree/Diploma
in Personnel Management/ HR
(iv) have post qualification work experience of at least five years in the
Personnel/HR Department of an organisation.
(v) have secured at least 50 percent marks in the selection process.
In the case of a candidate who satisfies all the above conditions except :
(a) at (ii) above but has secured at least 55 percent marks in Graduation in any
discipline and at least 70 percent marks in post Graduate Degree/Diploma in
Personnel Management/HR, the case is to be referred to GM–HR.
(b) at (iv) above, but has post qualification work experience of at least four
years out of which at least two years as Deputy Manager HR, the case is to be
referred to President–HR.
In each questions below are given details of one candidate. You have to take one
of the following courses of actions based on the information provided and the
conditions and sub–conditions given above and mark the number of that course of
action as your answer. You are not to assume anything other than the information
provided in each question.
All these cases are given to you as on 1.3.2012 Mark answer –
(A) if the candidate is not to be selected
(B) if the data provided are not adequate to take a decision
(C) if the case is to be referred to President–HR
(D) if the case is to be referred to President GM–HR
(E) if the candidate is to be selected

26. Rita Bhatt was born on 25th July 1978. She has secured 62 percent marks in
Graduation and 65 percent marks in Post Graduation Diploma in Management. She
has been working for the past six years in the Personnel Department of an
organisation after completing her Post Graduation. She has secured 55 percent
marks in the selection process.
Ans : (E)

27. Ashok Prdhan was born on 8th August 1980. He has been working in the
Personnel Department of an organisation for the past four years after completing
his Post Graduate Degree in Personnel Management with 67 percent marks. Out of
his entire experience, he has been working for the past two years as Deputy
Manager–HR. He has secured 62 percent marks in Graduation and 58 percent marks
in the selection process.
Ans : (C)

28. Alok Verma was born o n 4th March 1976. He has ben working in the Personnel
Department of an organisation for the past six years after completing his Post
Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management with 66 percent marks. He has secured
57 percent marks in the selection process and 63 percent marks in Graduation.
Ans : (A)

29. Swapan Ghosh has been working in the Personnel Department of an organisation
for the past five years after completing his Post Graduate Degree in HR with 72
percent marks. He has secured 56 percent marks in Graduation. He was born on
12th May 1977. He has secured 58 percent marks in the selection process.
Ans : (D)

30. Seema Behl has been working in the Personnel Department of an organisation
for the past seven years after completing her Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel
Management with 70 percent marks. She was born on 5th July 1979. She has secured
65 percent marks in Graduation and 50 percent marks in the selection process.
Ans : (E)

Direction (Qs. 31 to 35) : Study the following information carefully and
answer the questions given below :
A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are eight friends travelling in three different cars
viz. X, Y and Z with at least two in one car to three different places, viz.
Delhi, Chandigarh and Agra.
There is at least one female member in each car. D is travelling with G to Delhi
but not in car Y. A is travelling with only H in car Z but not be Chandigarh. C
is not travelling with either D or E. F and D are studying in the same only
girls’ college. H, B and G are studying in the same only boys’ college.

31. Which of the following represents the group of females among them –
(A) F, C, A (B) F, G, A
(C) D, C, A (D) Data inadequate
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

Directions (Qs. 36 to 40) : In each of the questions below is given a
statement, followed by a question. Read the statement carefully and answer the
question that follows.

36. Statement :
The State Government granted special status to the seminar on the importance of
protecting the environment around us, organised by the local academic body to
create awareness among the citizens.
Which of the following may be a probable reason for the State Government’s
decision ?
(A) The Central Government has accorded highest priority of issues related to
protection of environment, over all other issues.
(B) In the past the State Government had granted special status to such
seminars.
(C) The State Government has failed to implement measures for protecting the
environment.
(D) The local academic body made a fervent appeal for the special status.
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

37. Statement :
Most car manufacturers have marginally reduced the price of their products
despite higher input costs and increased Govt. duties and have promised to keep
the prices at the present level for at least the next couple of months.
Which of the following can be a best possible reason for the above step by car
manufacturers ?
(A) Car manufactures have not been able to meet their sales target for the
current year so far.
(B) The Government is planning to review taxes on the raw materials for
manufacturing cars.
(C) The car sales market is going through a jubilant phase as the volume of
sales has picked up considerably in the recent past and profit per car has also
gone up.
(D) Car buyers are still hesitant to make their purchases and may postpone for
another few months.
(E) Oil marketing companies are contemplating reviewing the patrol and diesel
prices in order to decide future market prices.
Ans : (A)

38. Statement :
The prices of vegetables and other food articles have decreased in the recent
months raising hope among policy planners that the RBI’s (Reserve Bank of India)
tight grip on supply of liquid money in the market for controlling inflation may
be eased.
Which of the following may be a possible action of the above situation ?
(A) The Reserve Bank of India may not reduce its key interest rates in near
future.
(B) The Government may step in and make certain concessions to the common people
on various issues.
(C) The Reserve Bank of India may consider lowering certain rates to bring in
more liquidity in the market.
(D) The RBI may wait for at least another year before taking any step.
(E) The RBI may collect more data from the market and wait for another four
months to ensure they take the correct step.
Ans : (C)

39. Statement :
A severe cyclonic storm hit the Eastern coastline last month resulting in huge
loss of life and property on the entire east coast and the Government had to
disburse a considerable amount for relief activities through the district
administration machineries.
Which of the following may possibly be a follow up measure to be taken up by the
Government ?
(A) The Government may set up a task force to review the post relief scenario in
all districts and also to confirm proper end user receipt of the relief
supplies.
(B) The Government may set up a committee for proper disbursement of relief
supplies in future.
(C) The Government may empower the District Magistrates to make all future
disbursements of relief.
(D) The Government may send relief supplies to the affected people in future
only after proper assessment of the damage caused by such calamities.
(E) The Government may not need to activate any follow–up measure.
Ans : (B)

40. Statement :
It has been reported in a recent study that intake of moderate quantity of milk
chocolate reduces the risk of suffering from central nervous system–related
illnesses.
Which of the following would weaken the findings of the study reported in the
above statement ?
(A) People generally prefer to eat chocolate when they are young.
(B) Majority of those not diagnosed with diseases related to central nervous
system have stayed away from eating chocolates in their lives.
(C) Chocolates contain certain elements which strengthen the functions of the
central nervous system.
(D) Majority of those suffering from central nervous system–related diseases are
middle aged.
(E) Many of those who suffer from diabetes also suffer from other major
ailments.
Ans : (E)